Laughter Guaranteed As Sajin Gopu's Tour-de-Force Triumphs

Suku, much like those we encounter on social media, the ones who post cringe-worthy Facebook statuses or manage groups filled with typical Malayalee memes, represents a larger group of innocents who take life too seriously but end up in utter disaster.

Painkili, written by Jithu Madhavan, tells the story of Suku, an innocent and gullible young man whose credulous nature often leads him into trouble. He is more attached to his bike than anything else.

Sajin Gopu‘s performance as Suku in Painkili, directed by Sreejith Babu and produced by Fahad Faasil, is nothing short of exceptional. From the very outset, he stuns the audience with his commanding presence. The movie is literally a Sajin Gopu show, with his brilliance pervading every frame.

He shines as Suku, I mean lives as Suku, that every minute is worth watching his outstanding performance without losing the meter.

Spoiler Alert

The film opens with the story of Sheeba Baby, portrayed by Anaswara Rajan, who attempts to flee from her home but is ultimately caught by her father, Baby. Coming to her acting, it feels like comedy is not her forte, but she managed to keep pace with the character’s energy.

Her neighbour and best friend, a character offering misguided counsel, continuously suggests foolish schemes to help Sheeba escape the marriage her family has arranged for her.

This neighbour, who aspires to become a female rapper, suggests an outlandish plan: if Sheeba falls in love with someone and elopes, she will gain freedom and escape from the marriage her parents planned.

Believing her friend’s advice, Sheeba is drawn into the conspiracy of eloping solely to evade the arranged marriage set by her family.

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As the story unfolds, the focus gradually shifts to Suku, played by Sajin Gopu, and the film takes a lively turn. The narrative dives into a whirlwind of humour, where laughter prevails over seriousness, and the fun ride begins in full swing.

Suku’s family aligns with his energetic bent, with a mother who signifies the archetype of a deeply caring and concerned parent. Meanwhile, Abusalim admirably portrays the father figure, yet his advice and opinions are often disregarded by Suku.

He also has a sister who is married and a ‘chill’ grandmother, and the family as a whole carries a somewhat awkward atmosphere, one where they seem to remain tethered to outdated values, unable to fully adapt to the present generation.

Suku’s circle of friends reflects his character, with his companions, played by Roshan Shanavas and Chandu Salim Kumar, representing the typical village camaraderie—those who spend their time drinking and socialising.

Suku, who owns a printer shop, travels to Coimbatore to purchase a modern printer. However, a twist unfolds when he gets caught up in trouble after attempting to apprehend the man who stole his bike.

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The thief dies in the process, and in his panic, Suku returns home, fearing the police will catch him. His friend advises him to consult a legal advisor, who happens to be his uncle, currently under police scrutiny but hiding out.

Suku then meets a character played by director Lijo Jose Pellissery, a social media addict, who suggests that he obtain a mental health certificate to escape jail by claiming a mental disorder.

Lijo Jose‘s portrayal of a comedic yet somewhat dim-witted character pretending to be brilliant adds a unique presence. However, the comedy does not land as effectively as expected.

The film struggles to fill its story with comedy and fails to hit the mark with its framing, with many jokes feeling lacklustre.

The plot centres around Suku’s chaotic troubles, as his friends label him as mad, and the struggles and repercussions he faces when it’s revealed that he consulted a mental health doctor.

This theme, along with his repeated antics, forms the core of the film. Suku is intended to be a humorous character, but the comedy doesn’t quite land.

A strong performance comes from Jisna Vimal, who plays Suma—a character who deeply loves Suku, but he disregards her because she is the sister of his friend.

Meanwhile, Suku and Sheeba’s meeting happens by chance, and Suku takes her to his home on account of an uninvited plight. This leads the audience to witness Suku’s mother’s tour de force as a typical, loving mother, with her portrayal standing out as top-notch.

Eventually, Suku falls in love with Sheeba, but she harbours a painful, untold story of a traumatic childhood.

There’s a memorable scene where Suku opens his heart to Sheeba, attempting to win her affection with his usual quirky style of proposal, using humorous Malayalam quotes that will have the audience laughing out loud.

This fun ride, with Sajin Gopu as the director steering it in an entertaining direction, further takes the film to his next level of tour de force.

Throughout the film, there are unintentional tributes to several classic Malayalam movies, evident in some of the dialogues and scenes. One notable moment sees Sajin drawing inspiration from Jayaram’s iconic mad performance in the old film Kavadiyattam. 

Towards the end, the climax unfolds predictably, lacking in substance. The narrative takes a backseat, making way for a relentless stream of humour that keeps the audience entertained if not entirely engaged in the plot.

The film’s focus is clearly on providing laughter, and in that regard, it succeeds. However, its inability to establish a solid storyline or fully develop its characters leaves a sense of incompleteness.

The comedy, though abundant, becomes the film’s crux, while this approach may not satisfy those seeking a more meaningful or thoughtful story.

It will appeal to fans of slapstick and situational comedy, Even if the plot doesn’t fully satisfy you, there’s still plenty of comedy to enjoy, and Sajin Gopu’s performance ensures that the film remains engaging.

Timeline Verdict: If you’re looking for a film that prioritises laughs over plot, Painkili may bring you joy with silly jokes, offering a lighthearted escape for those in search of simple, unpretentious relief with Sajin Gopu’s brilliant performance.

Painkili Crew: Director: Sreejith Babu, Story: Jithu Madhavan, Cinematography: Arjun Sethu, Music: Justin Varghese, Producer: Fahadh Faasil, Jithu Madhavan.

Cast: Sajin Gopu, Anaswara Rajan, Jisma Vimal, Roshan Shanavas, Chandu Salimkumar, Abu Salim.